Monday, August 8, 2011

Today at Natty's: 50 Percent Off Pizzas With Free Delivery

For one day and one day only, the six-man team known as South Grand Delivered will be offering free pizza delivery from Natty's Pizza(3201 South Grand Boulevard; 314-772-2285). Oh and it gets better -- the pizzas are 50 percent off.

It all happens Monday, August 8, from 4 to 6 p.m. These pizza peddlers normally charge a $5 delivery fee, but for this rush hour special, it's on the house. Of course tips are always graciously accepted. But don't peek out your window looking for a dinged-up car with a pizza chain decal on its passenger door. These delivery boys roll up on their bikes, often arriving quicker than their four-wheeled competitors.

With special racks attached to their bikes and city maps in haul, South Grand Delivered can cruise up to a drop-off point in about fifteen minutes with the food still piping hot. It's their specialty, says Andy Heaslet, who co-owns the delivery business.

Andy and his biking bud Evenn Moore, decided to create this two-wheeled delivery service last year -- in part, thanks to the economy.

"With the recession there was talk of needing jobs, jobs and more jobs," Heaslet says. "So I got it in my head that I could be a part of that."

"It was a mutual manifestation," Heaslet says. "Brian [owner of Natty's Pizza] couldn't afford to hire delivery drivers on his own, and he wanted to do something unique. I think it's safe to say that neither of us would be in business without the other."

So now Natty's Pizza rings in the orders, and the riders of South Grand Delivered hang around waiting for a delivery to make. A few, like Andy, lounge on the couch at home, others chill in Tower Grove Park and a few more chill in the AC at the pizzeria.

For both parties, it's a good deal. Even in the winter, Williams doesn't have to worry about finding delivery vehicles. The crew of South Grand Delivered will hit the streets in all weather.

"My favorite thing is in the winter when people see us roll up on the ice covered streets and the pizza will still be hot," Heaslet says.

Heaslet himself was out making a delivery during the spring tornado hit Lambert Airport. "I was out delivering Chinese food in that storm," he says. "I was kind of disappointed in that tip."

Moral of the story: Avoid cycling in tornadic weather, and always tip your delivery guy, especially when the delivery is free of charge.